EA sent bills to us without asking us if we were happy to pay!

betmunch

If the EA actually said the words: "We'll sort that out. We have contacts" Then that to me indicates that they will pay for it all in the interest of the sale going through.

If they are the ones "sorting it out" for you, and you have not agreed a fee with them then you should have to pay!

The trades men should have invoiced the EA

pararct

Imp wrote: »

Both the EA and the companies which quoted for the work will have had to spend time, and therefore money, on producing the quotations.

It seems fair and reasonable to reimburse them for this time, especially as it isn't a "real job" yet which is certain to go ahead.

What absolute twaddle!!

Any tradesman worth his salt would provide a free quotation on any potential work.

This sounds like an attempt to scam to me. The only real question I would ask is the EA 'in on it'. Perhaps the tradesman is a friend of his;)

Unless you agreed (verbally) a fee at the time of requesting said quotations or have signed an agreement of some sort then it sounds like this invoice is unenforceable!!

sonastin

I wouldn't necessarily object to being charged for getting a quote when I'm not actually looking to get the work done - the tradesman has to do some work to put the quote together and if for example I intended to do the work myself but had to give the mortgage co the quote then it is fair enough for the tradesman to recover the cost for his time.

Equally, if there is something unusual or complex involved in the job which requires more than the usual amount of effort to put the quote together then I accept that I might have to pay for it.

But in either situation I would expect the answer to my question of "can you give me a quote for xxx" would be "yes, but in these circumstances I would have to charge you xxx to put the quote together". Not "yes. here's your quote. now I've done the work so you owe me xxx".

egyptiangirl

UPDATE

Called CAB and she said to contact national EA association to make a complaint if needed.

However OH spoke to them and made clear our feelings. They said we could 'go halves' or they would pay it if the sale went through. How bizarre!

<sebb>

When I was looking at buying and I needed some quotes for work, alot of them said they would charge to quote as it was for a potential purchase and therefore highly unlikely that I contract them to do the work!

It was mainly roofers I looked at, and I ended up going with one that said they would come in and give me a quote for free as though I was the owner, but they could also offer a specialised report that would detail what work was required and why, together with costings which he said would be helpful in price negotiations with the vendor.

olly300

egyptiangirl wrote: »

UPDATE

Called CAB and she said to contact national EA association to make a complaint if needed.

However OH spoke to them and made clear our feelings. They said we could 'go halves' or they would pay it if the sale went through. How bizarre!

Report them to National EA association if they registered and trading standards if they are not.

Bunch of crooks.

nollag2006

TBH, if the builders are giving verbal quotes, this would be free. If they are giving written detailed quotes to a non-owner, then I would expect to be charged for this.

Be careful about complaining to the NEAA. When you come to sell in a few years time, if the market is small locally (which most markets are) the EA will quite likely try to spoil your sales efforts by pointing out the detail of flaws in the property to potential purchasers. Something about pooping on your own doorstep springs to mind.

Sounds like you will be able to agree something with them though.

Good luck with your house purchase. It's a good time to buy.

egyptiangirl

UPDATE 2
My OH followed up yesterday with an email. The director emailed us back with a very nice email. I genuinely don't think they are scamming us or anything, they just 'forgot' to ask and now find themselves in this unnecessary position.

Thanks everyone for your ideas and advice. I hope this will be resolved on Monday in our favour. Will update

poppysarah

Ignore their requests for cash politely.

If the money is for getting the quotes then 150quid is a lot of hours work. To be reasonable you'd want a breakdown - shouldn't imagine it'd take more than a couple of hours absolutely tops including visiting properties.
Reasonable for that? £15 an hour maybe. So tops £30 ... and I'd want a full breakdown and then still not pay it!

And if they're stupid enough to have to pay workmen for quotes then I'd just laugh at them and run away.

pinkshoes

I'd refuse outright to pay.

They said they'd take care of it as they had "contacts", so all they've done is phoned up their usual tradespeople, and asked for a quick quote, which costs nothing.

If they were planning on charging you for this, then they should have said so. As they didn't tell you, then don't even think about paying a penny, as getting quotes would have taken you very little time and cost you nothing, so why should you even pay half???